Brown Thrasher

All posts tagged Brown Thrasher

Dreams are the canvas for our Soul to create new worlds.

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 2, 2013
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Dreams are the canvas for our Soul to create new worlds. ~ Lee Hiller

I wasn’t the only one who was pleased with the temperature this morning. It was perfect hiking weather sunny in the low 70s and humidity was low too.  Along the trail sweet bird song filled the air.  A mixed flock of small birds landed in the Trees on either side of me.  They were happily seeking food and nesting materials.  Beautiful Life in the summer Forest.

A glorious summer morning to get out and play.

Love to ALL!
Lee

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Fire Alert, Sparrows, Thrashers and Vireos

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 25, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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Love resonates lightly across the Forest as Nature reveals her Heart. ~ Lee Hiller

Pretty birds sent us off into the hot humid Forest and were there to greet us on our return.  I am so thankful for their strength and beauty…

During the extreme heat I have formed a new appreciation for the words “North Face”, on the park trails it translates into comforting coolness.  Bird song echoes softly in the high canopy of the shaded side of the mountains.  The last bastion of  relief the leaves flicker on the light breezes along the trail.  Even on the hottest days it is hard to stay away from the Forest.

It feels like late August in the Forest. The under growth is already receding and the usually abundant wildflowers are a rare sight.  Today the state is issuing a wildfire alert as we head into ten days of 100+ temperatures.  So I am implementing my personal don’t hike in when you don’t know an alternate way out rule.

Please do not smoke in Arkansas Forests the fire risk is VERY HIGH
because we are struggling through drought conditions.

Near the free flowing water fountain at the edge of the Forest I smell Deer musk. It appears they cannot resist the lure of fresh water.  Please consider leaving a fresh bucket of water each day in your yard or on a balcony to help the wildlife.

Love to ALL!
Lee

West Mountain Spring Hike filled with Wildflowers and Wildlife

Posted by Lee Hiller on April 25, 2012
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As I stepped out my front door the early light  illuminated the flowers creating a sunrise spring bouquet… Nature weaves her magic everywhere.

This year spring arrived early in Hot Springs National Park.  The leaves were fully unfurled 6 days after the official 1st day of Spring creating a spectacular green canopy in late March.  Prominent Wildflowers from the past two years appeared in smaller numbers and vanished quickly this spring.  The combination of lovely green and warmer temperatures stunted the growth of some wildflowers or caused their quick demise.  The good news is I am seeing lovely shade dwellers like the Partridge Berry, Horsemint and Pink Fire in greater numbers.  Nature is always an amazing teacher… I do miss the Jewelweed which was abundant last year.

A landslide closed part of the Oak Trail and I had to backtrack to head up West Mountain on the Canyon Trail.   This turned out to be a wonderful change of plans.  As I headed higher up the trail I had a feeling I was not hiking alone.  I turned back and looked down the trail to see a lovely Doe watching me.  I took a few photographs and she put her dead down to graze apparently deciding I was not a threat.  Further up the trail I heard a rustling in the leaves, looking up I discovered she was moving parallel below me.  She was peeking at me through the brush to see what I was doing in her Forest.  Maybe I will end up in her version of the park news 🙂

The lovely morning continued with the sighting of a Brown Thrasher capturing it’s breakfast and discovering new wildflowers to add to my photography collection.  It was wonderful to see a flurry of  airborne Butterflies,tiny busy Prairie Lizards and a sweet Male Box Turtle.  Trails covered in a canopy flickering green provided a peaceful hike across West and Music Mountains.

Thank You for reading my blog and traveling with me in the Forest.
Love to ALL!
Lee

Birds of Hot Springs National Park: Brown Thrasher

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 15, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

HSNP Promenade Brown Thrasher with Insect

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)

Length: 9.1–11.8 in (23–30 cm)
Wingspan: 11.4–12.6 in (29–32 cm)
Weight: 2.2–3.1 oz  (61–89 g)
Color: vibrant reddish brown with a speckled buff and brown chest and belly
Eyes: bright yellow
Feeding: Omnivorous (Insects, other arthopods, fruits, and nuts.)
Vocalization: known to have perhaps over 3000 unique songs in their repertoire.

In Hot Springs National Park Brown Thrashers are found in dense brush, Trees and Bushes. They are omnivorous and can be seen foraging in dry Leaves for Insects or plucking Berries from Bushes and Trees.  Brown Thrashers can also be found in perennial gardens and where they are often spotted jumping from the ground to catch insects on flowers.  My observations have noted they are gregarious and curious about humans that frequent their territory. Although they are highly territorial I have never been met with any aggression even during mating season.  This does not mean they may not attack animals or humans that get too close to their nests.

My first encounter with a Brown Thrasher in the park was when I initially believed I was going to see a someone using a Nintendo  Game Boy.  I came around the bend on a trail to discover it was a Brown Thrasher mimicking Super Mario World.  After 10 minutes of spectacular auditory acrobatics it flew away.  I have since this first encounter heard them sing glorious tunes, imitate cell phone ring tones and mock other birds.  Brown Thrashers are always a wonderful sight in Hot Springs National Park.

HSNP Promenade Brown Thrasher with Insect

HSNP Promenade Brown Thrasher with Breakfast

HSNP Promenade Brown Thrasher Duo

HSNP Promenade Brown Thrasher

Another Day with the Beautiful Creature of Hot Springs National Park

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 9, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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It’s Saturday and I am going to spend the afternoon watching a film with my beloved husband.  So please accept these photographs of the lovely creatures my lens captured as my blog.  They tell a wonderful story without any need for words.  Have a blessed day 🙂

Love to You ALL,
Lee